Custard: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Custard is a sweet dessert made from a combination of milk or cream, egg yolks, cornflour, sugar and flavourings such as vanilla. Depending on how much thickener is added, custard may vary in consistency from a thin pouring sauce or Crème Anglaise, to a thick blancmange like that used for vanilla slice.

Custard is an important part of dessert recipes originating in many countries including England, France, Spain, Italy, and Australia.

Most custard is cooked in a double boiler or heated very gently on the stove in a saucepan, but custard can also be steamed or baked in the oven in a steam bath or bain-marie.

Instant and ready- made custards, not always including eggs, are also marketed. See Bird's Custard, for instance.

Uses

Recipes involving custard include:

• Bavarois
• Crème brûlée
• Creme caramel
• Cream puff
• Custard tarts
• Danish pastry
• English trifle
• Floating islands
• Frozen custard
• Ice cream
• Vanilla slice
• Zabaglione

Not all custards are sweet. The filling for a traditional quiche is made from a savoury custard incorporating cheese for flavouring.